Hi,
I’m finding the IPUMS family interrelationship variables (e.g., MONLOC, POPLOC) incredibly helpful for linking children to parents in Census data. Are there source files, such as do-files, available for constructing these linking variables (from the original ACS variables)? If so, what steps are required for researchers to access them?
I’m currently working on a project using the internal ACS data in an FSRDC, which does not include the IPUMS family linkage variables. While I’ve tried reverse-engineering and creating my own do-file to replicate the IPUMS methodology (based on the rule outlined here), it has proven difficult and time-consuming. Any guidance on obtaining these files or replicating the process would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
Unfortunately we do not have any materials to share that would allow you to exactly recreate the IPUMS-constructed family interrelationship variables. The code we use to construct these variables is not available in .do file format, because it is custom built for our data processing system. Generally it is not permitted to bring external versions of Census Bureau data into the FSRDC to merge onto the restricted versions of the data. In the future, we hope to be able to offer an IPUMS version of the decennial census and the ACS via FSRDCs, but at this time, it is not possible to work with IPUMS data or variables in an FSRDC.
If you are attempting to recreate the IPUMS-constructed family interrelationship pointer variables, I would suggest reading our more detailed documentation, and this working paper on the variables’ construction: “Family Matters: Development of new family interrelationship variables for US IPUMS data projects” by Gorsuch & Williams.
Please feel free to email us at ipums@umn.edu if you have more questions.